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Rex Lawson

HighlifeNigeria

A pioneering saxophonist and bandleader from Calabar, Nigeria, Rex Lawson brought technical virtuosity and innovative arrangements to the highlife genre during the 1950s and 1960s, establishing himself as one of the music's most influential instrumentalists. His compositions and performances with Rex Lawson and hisIds and later his International Sweethearts of Rhythm showcased a sophisticated blend of Western jazz harmonies with Nigerian rhythmic traditions, elevating highlife from dance music to an art form worthy of serious musical consideration. Lawson's legacy endures as a foundational figure who shaped the trajectory of West African popular music and demonstrated the continent's capacity for musical innovation that rivaled global standards.

Discography

Albums

Teke Ke Wa Toluma / Tamuno Bo Ibro Ma

1960

Mayor's Dance Band 1st Set Port Harcourt

1960

1Bere Bote / Owuna Derina

Baby Play Wayo

1960

Jolly Papa

1960

Ese Ayang Iso / Samale Ma

1960

Akaso Inyingi / Obo Iyo Wu?

1960

Abro Tie Ke Imie / Ori Iba Te

1960

Suzana Pango

1960

Ine Mie Bia Ye Dugoma b/w Mbanga

1960

Abari Te b/w Iri Na Bo

1960

Amalnye

1960

Igoin Ala Woloma

1960

Serra Nene / Oko

1960

Amanyanabo Ama Okite / Major Boro's Sound

1960

Nyemoni Obo Na / Tamuno Tonye

1960

So Ala Temem / Tamuno Bo Ibro Ma

1960

Dom Utilien Ekang / Ereme Eseniapeni Lam

1960

Hail Biafra / ?

1960

Rex Lawson's Victories

1960

1[A] Osuala Oru Enene / Anate / Bere Bote / Akaso Inyinyi / Aye Muba Udeaja

2[B] So Ala Temem / Abari Biya / Tamuno Bo Ibro Ma / Ibi Na Bo / Sawale

Lov'M Adure / Ibari Ikorua

1965

The Highlife King in London

1970

1[A] Osima Atoru Korote / Isobye / Imie Te Ke Tamunobe / Tamuno Nwenibo / Uwem Do / Igoin Bo

Tamuno bo ibro ma / Sawale

1970

Fi - Iwariso / Migi Suku-Abom

1970

Love "M" Adure Special

1970

1[B] Tom Kiri Siti / Wasenigbo Tua / Ese Ayang Iso / Akwa Abasi / Nume Inye / Peri Special

Rex Lawson's Victories Vol. 2

1970

1[A] Unwu Zuru Uwa / Abari Te / Baby Play Me Wayo / Ibi Teme Browmam / Elizer / Bere Na Akwa Na

2[B] Ewu Nu Be Akwa / Osima Owuari / Major Boro's Sound / Ayando / Dom Utilien Enkang / Mbanga

The Higlife King in London

1970

1[A] Osima Atoru Korote / Isoboye / Imie Te Ke Tamunobe / Tamuno Nwenibo / Uwem Do / Igoin Bo

Atabala Woman

1970

Late Rex Lawson Special

1970

Bu Sia Ama

1971

1[A] Bu Sia Ama / Late Rex Lawson Special / Iwari Faam / Gabriel Bonnie / Amatoni / Dein Bo

Sina ibina

1972

1[A] Sina ibina / Igbo serele / Na warcause am / Mercy / Ejim biri ego / Birds have their nests

2[B] Igbigi fate / Nyemoni ibiama / Mary nomi okumi / To keep right is right / Akwa uwa / Enam doo

Tamuno Emi

1974

1[A] Jaa Mina Faa / Wa A Ko Poro / Ayiba Kemi / Praise The Lord

2[B] Tamuno Emi / Iya Daa Osu / Elu Uwa Enwe Mimeta / Asua Anama Emi

Fi Iwa Kombotiya

1975

1[A] Fi Iwa Kombotiya / Bufuka

2[B] Ikwue-Abee / Wakawaka No Bi For Nothing / Ndidi

Smash Hits '77?

Sound Workshop Records1976

1[A] Oyewa Yawute Tomkri Poki / Boma Simeke Wada Pri / Nda Nloku Angelina / Onye Akara

2[B] Ekene Dili Chukwu / Iyimi Dare Ekenye / Amabebe Special?

Ine Abieba

1977

1[A] Ine Abieba / Mina

2[B] Owei / Sisi Eko / Anty No Do So

Peoples Club of Nigeria

1980

1[A] Peoples Club Of Nigeria Odogwu / Wabato Nebo

2[B] Igbogi Fa Munafa / Ayeba Emi

Greatest Hits

1981

1[A] Oko / Serra Nene / Ene Bate / So Ala Te Mem / Love Mu Adure / Mekine Wa Bo Te

2[B] Jolly Papa / Tamuno Bo Ibro Ma / Oweibo Nua / Ibi Na Bo / Fi Gboru Ene / Ibari Ikoru Wa

Soko Soko

1981

1[A] Soko Soko / Jumolaye Akawai / Alam Adafu

2[B] Ayiba / Janet / Iwara Ama Iwat

Our Lord's Prayer

1985

1[A] Our Lord's Prayer

2[B] Gwazie Ife Nmelu Gi / Enu Uwa Enwe Mmate

Rex Lawson's Greatest Hits

1990

Rex Lawson Uncensored Vol. 3 - Hail Biafra?

1990

High Life Kings Vol. 1

2002

High Life Kings Vol. 2

2002

The Kings of Highlife

2003

The Classics Vol. 1

2004

The Classics Vol. 2

2004

1Professional Seagulls Dance Band

EPs

Dancing Time No. 3

1960

1[A] ?

2[B] ?

Top Hits from Nigeria Vol. 3?

1960

West Africa's Big Sound

1960

Singles

Onwu Zuru Uwa

1960

Top Hits from Nigeria, Vol. 2

1960

Diete Spiff Special

1972

Contents Unknown

1972